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Service bulletins for the 2012 Toyota RAV4

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

448 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

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Bulletins, newest first
T-SB-0050-132018-04-23. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. The EV Gateway Control ECU logic has been updated to improve vehicle operation and charging timer operation. Use the following procedure to reprogram the ECU.
T-SB-0043-132018-04-23. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for the RAV4 EV are released as field-fix procedures described in individual Service Bulletins. This bulletin details the ECU flash reprogramming process and outlines use of the Techstream Health Check Function and the Tesla Powertrain Service Diagnostics program.
T-SB-0041-132018-04-23. Service bulletin. ENGINE. Immediately following a cold soak startup, some 2009 ? 2013 model year vehicles equipped with 1AR-FE or 2AR-FE engines may exhibit a brief knock/rattle noise from the engine compartment for approximately one second. Follow the repair procedure below to address this condition.
E0A Dealer Notic2018-04-23. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. In late April 2014, Toyota will be mailing an update to the Owner?s Manual for certain 2010 through 2013 Model Year Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHV) and certain 2012 through 2013 RAV4 Electric Vehicles (EV). Sample Owner Letter labels are provided below for your reference.
E0A Region Notic2018-04-23. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. In late April 2014, Toyota will be mailing an update to the Owner?s Manual for certain 2010 through 2013 Model Year Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHV) and certain 2012 through 2013 RAV4 Electric Vehicles (EV). Sample Owner Letter labels are provided below for your reference.
T-TT-0223-132018-04-23. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. The vehicle will not start or ready0on and the steering wheel lock is engaged so that the steering wheel may only be turned very little from side-to-side. If the operator attempts to ready-on or start the vehicle while there is tension on the steering lock actuator, it will not be able to fully disengage when the "ENGINE START STOP" or "POWER" switch is depressed. This condition will cause the "ENGINE START STOP" or "POWER" switch's LED to flash green and the vehicle will fail to ready-on or start.
T-TT-0228-132018-04-23. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. Below are step-by-step instructions on how to remove and install the Service Plug. NOTE: If these steps are not followed, it's possible to damage the Service Plug installation/removal mechanism.
E0A Dealer Notic2018-04-23. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; EQUIPMENT. In late April 2014, Toyota will be mailing an update to the Owner?s Manual for certain 2010 through 2013 Model Year Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHV) and certain 2012 through 2013 RAV4 Electric Vehicles (EV). Sample Owner Letter labels are provided below for your reference.
E0A Region Notic2018-04-23. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL. In late April 2014, Toyota will be mailing an update to the Owner?s Manual for certain 2010 through 2013 Model Year Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHV) and certain 2012 through 2013 RAV4 Electric Vehicles (EV). Sample Owner Letter labels are provided below for your reference.
T-SB-0080-132018-04-23. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT. Some 2006 ? 2012 model year 4WD RAV4 vehicles may exhibit a growl type noise from the rear differential coupling when driving as a result of contamination to the front bearing. Follow the procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.
T-SB-0229-12_Rev2018-04-23. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2014 ? 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. In the event that a Toyota vehicle becomes submerged in water, many components may be physically damaged. Electrical and electronic components, including wiring harnesses, are particularly susceptible to corrosion and subsequent malfunction. Although any flooding can be damaging, salt water flooding elevates the potential for abnormal conditions and may increase risks due to its highly corrosive and conductive nature. Salt residue also continues to corrode and remain conductive even after a vehicle dries. This bulletin is intended to assist with safe handling and inspection of flood damaged vehicles and to provide basic guidance on likely needed repairs.
T-SB-0133-14_Obs2018-04-23. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE November 16, 2017: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0294-17.
T-SB-0012-13 Rev2018-04-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE: September 14, 2016: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0134-16.
T-TT-0426-162018-04-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. TT: Some technicians have experienced communication issues between the Techstream TESLA software program and Gateway ECU when attempting to read MIL ON information or firmware update. Utilize the troubleshooting steps provided in the recommendations section to establish communication between the Techstream TESLA software program and Gateway ECU for the following issues: * No VIN or No green light displayed * Failure of component firmware update
T-SB-0142-13 Rev2018-04-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 10, 2016 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year Toyota vehicles. ? Parts Information section has been updated. Some 2004 ? 2017 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit odors naturally occurring from the HVAC system and/or related environmental factors. Although there is no way to eliminate these odors, follow the General Procedure in this bulletin to minimize the odors experienced.
T-TT-0010-10 Rev2018-04-02. Service bulletin. BACK OVER PREVENTION; ENGINE. Tech Tip: Low battery voltage can contribute to a MIL "ON" condition for P0335 (Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit) and/or P0340 (Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit) due to inconsistent rotational speed of the engine's crankshaft.
T-SB-0012-13 Rev2018-04-02. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. TSB: Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix procedures described in individual Service Bulletins. This bulletin details the Techstream ECU flash reprogramming process and outlines use of the Technical Information System (TIS) and the Calibration Update Wizard (CUW). Flash calibration updates can only be applied to the vehicle/ECU combination for which they are intended. ECUs have internal security that will not allow them to be programmed with another ECU?s information.
T-TT-0246-13 Rev2018-04-02. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Tech Tip: Tips for writing a DPR (Dealer Product Report) on manufacturing issues for windows and windshields.
T-TT-0262-13 Rev2018-04-02. Service bulletin. ENGINE. Tech Tip: Starting with the 2010 Model Year, Toyota began a gradual transition to the use of synthetic 0w20 viscosity engine oil. There are multiple benefits of this oil including: Reduced friction and wear on engine surfaces, Improved fuel economy, Reduction in waste oil stream (in vehicles approved for 10,000 mile oil change intervals), Reduced maintenance cost (in vehicles approved for 10,000 mile oil change intervals). Due to the improved performance and durability of 0w20 synthetic oil, Toyota has extended the oil change intervals to 10,000 mile for most vehicles that require this oil. With this change, the following should be noted: The 2TR-FE (4Runner/Tacoma) and the 3UR-FBE (Flex Fuel Tundra/Sequoia) are the exceptions to this new change interval program; these engines have not been approved for the 10,000 mile interval at this time. A 5,000 mile oil change interval is still required for these vehicles. Also, the Flex Fuel 3UR-FBE requires a 2,500 mile interval when operated on E85 50% of the time or more. Only Toyota vehicles in which 0w20 oil is mandatory (except for the 2TR-FE & 3UR-FBE Engines) have been approved for extended oil change intervals. Vehicles in which 0w-20 is an option to 5w20 (or 5w30) will continue to require 5,000 mile change intervals, even if 0w20 oil is used. In case of vehicles with 10,000 mile oil change intervals, the 5,000 mile service interval has not been eliminated. The traditional 5,000 mile maintenance procedures (such as tire rotation) will continue to be required, and the fluid levels (including engine oil) will need to be checked and adjusted at this time. If the vehicle operation meets the standard criteria for "Special Operating Conditions" such as: driving off-road, on dirt roads, towing a trailer, making repeated short trips under 32 degrees F, or extensive idling, the engine oil must be replaced at 5,000 mile intervals, regardless of oil used.
T-TT-0180-12 Rev2018-04-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. Tech Tip: When replacing the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or Navigation Unit (Navi Unit) follow the instructions below:
T-SB-003-01 - OB2018-04-02. Service bulletin. UNKNOWN OR OTHER. TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 7, 2014: This bulletin is now obsolete.
T-SB-0043-14 Rev2018-04-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES. TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased.
T-SB-0043-142018-04-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES. TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased.
T-SB-0294-172018-04-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0133-14. ? The Parts Information, Required Tools & Equipment, and On-Vehicle Navigation Update sections have been updated. Toyota models equipped with the Premium HDD Navigation (AVN/AW-EMV) system require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB drive to update the map, points of interest, Gracenote®, and system software. The SST is used with all vehicles to deliver the update; however, a unique activation number is required for each vehicle. Activation numbers are provided in an Activation Card Number pamphlet available through the normal parts ordering system.
T-SB-0108-15_Rev2018-04-02. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. TSB: REVISION NOTICE October 11, 2017 Rev2: ? The Required Tools & Equipment section has been updated to include a NEW USB drive map update. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0006-13. Toyota models equipped with the Premium HDD Navigation (AVN/AW-EMV) system will periodically require an update to the Gracenote® database. Gracenote® includes detailed information for songs (genre, artist, song title, album name, etc.). The Gracenote® update will be included on the USB Drive Navigation Map Update SST. A Gracenote® update MUST be performed BEFORE a Navigation Map update. A Navigation Map update is NOT required to complete the Gracenote® update.

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.